Before accepting any financial aid offer, run through this checklist to confirm you haven't missed anything you're entitled to.
FAFSA basics
- [ ] Filed FAFSA for the current award year
- [ ] Filed as early as possible (opens October 1)
- [ ] Corrected any income or household errors
- [ ] Confirmed your SAI on your Student Aid Report
Pell Grant
- [ ] If your SAI is below approximately $6,500, confirm whether you received a Pell Grant
- [ ] Verified the Pell Grant amount matches your eligibility (use StudentAid.gov to check)
- [ ] Note: Pell Grant eligibility is limited to a lifetime of 12 semesters
State grants
- [ ] Checked if your state offers a need-based grant program
- [ ] Confirmed the school is certified to receive your state grant
- [ ] Filed state-specific applications if required (not all states use FAFSA only)
Institutional grants
- [ ] Received an institutional grant from the school
- [ ] Verified renewal conditions (minimum GPA, enrollment status)
- [ ] Asked the financial aid office if additional institutional aid is available
Federal student loans
- [ ] Accepted subsidized loans before unsubsidized (subsidized is better)
- [ ] Know the annual and aggregate loan limits for your grade level
- [ ] Understand the interest rate for the current award year
Work-study
- [ ] Received a work-study award if eligible
- [ ] Confirmed available positions at the school
- [ ] Understand that work-study funds are paid as earned wages, not upfront
Follow-up questions to ask your financial aid office
- Are there departmental or program-specific scholarships I should apply for?
- Is there an emergency fund for students who face unexpected costs?
- How does my aid change if I enroll less than full-time?
- What happens to my aid if I transfer?
If any of these feel unclear, your school's financial aid office is required to explain them. Ask.
--- ---